106 With Prejudice: The Legacy of Leandro
Advocacy Bites
Renee and Susan discuss the dismissal of the Leandro Case and where we go from here. We discuss the April 2nd court decision that saw Chief Justice Paul Newbie dismiss the 30-year-old Leandro case with prejudice. Renee pulls no punches as she breaks down the legal "reverse engineering" used to end this landmark case, which sought to ensure every North Carolina child receives a sound, basic education. From the "flimsy" arguments regarding subject matter jurisdiction to the dismissal’s implications for generations of students, this episode serves as both a legal autopsy and a call to arms. But...
info_outline
105 Leading with Radical Love and Surviving the Emotional Labor of Advocacy
Advocacy Bites
Renee and Susan discuss the benefits of centering love and empathy in the work with so many negative voices and forces in the world. How do we continue to show up as advocates when the world feels increasingly polarized and heavy? In this episode of Advocacy Bites, hosts Renee Sekel and Susan Book of Save Our Schools NC step away from the logistics of policy and primaries to have a vulnerable conversation about the emotional heart of advocacy. Renee shares a powerful experience from a recent conference in Washington, D.C., where she encountered the work of Valarie Kaur and the...
info_outline
104 Primaries!
Advocacy Bites
Primary season is here, and it’s one of the most critical times for everyday advocates to make their voices heard. In this episode, Renee and Susan from Save Our Schools NC pull back the curtain on how North Carolina primaries work, especially for the state's growing number of unaffiliated voters. From understanding "open primaries" to the nuance of "strategic voting," this conversation is designed to move you from feeling overwhelmed by a long ballot to feeling confident in the voting booth. Whether you are looking at local judicial races or major state offices, this episode provides...
info_outline
103 Mantras and Musings
Advocacy Bites
Renee & Susan reflect on the beginning of a new(ish) year, and the ideas and thoughts they want to bring into 2026. We kick off the new year not with rigid resolutions, but with honesty, compassion, and intention. As they enter their fifth year of podcasting, Renee and Susan acknowledge that January doesn’t always feel like a fresh start—especially amid relentless bad news, family pressures, and the emotional weight carried by so many everyday advocates. Instead of traditional New Year’s resolutions, the hosts explore the power of mantras: simple truths we can return to when...
info_outline
102 Anatomy Of A Right-Wing Legislator
Advocacy Bites
Susan and Renee discuss their deep-dive into a right-wing legislator’s social media and the patterns they noticed. In this candid episode of Advocacy Bites, hosts Renee Sekel and Susan Book take listeners inside what they call the anatomy of a right-wing legislator, not by naming names, but by dissecting the recurring patterns, priorities, and contradictions that show up again and again in state-level politics. Drawing from an extensive deep dive into a legislator’s social media presence, Renee unpacks how Second Amendment absolutism collides with so-called “school safety”...
info_outline
101 Justice Denied
Advocacy Bites
Renee and Susan discuss the ongoing Leandro Case. In this episode of Advocacy Bites, hosts Renee Sekel and Susan Book confront a sobering question: What is the value of a constitutional right if it cannot be enforced? Sparked by national conversations with education advocates and legal experts, this episode delivers an unflinching examination of how justice is delayed—and effectively denied—in North Carolina’s public education system. Renee revisits the Leandro case, focusing on the 2022 Supreme Court decision and the years of inaction that followed after a partisan shift in the...
info_outline
100 Advocacy Bites Turns 100!
Advocacy Bites
Renee and Susan celebrate our milestone 100th episode with a discussion of corruption and primaries. In this milestone 100th episode of Advocacy Bites, hosts Renee Sekel and Susan Book celebrate four years of conversations about what it truly means to be an everyday advocate. From grassroots wins to tough legislative battles, this episode looks back at the moments that shaped the show — and the movement behind it. Renee and Susan share their favorite memories, from deep-dive episodes like the NC lottery breakdown to the unforgettable “Futurama Committee” series that perfectly...
info_outline
99 Winning In Big Ways And Small Ways
Advocacy Bites
Renee and Susan discuss the 2025 elections from national and local perspectives. In this episode of Advocacy Bites, they break down a week filled with big wins, surprising momentum, and a whole lot of hope for everyday advocates. From sweeping Democratic victories across the country to record-breaking turnout in local Wake County races, Renee and Susan explore what these results mean for communities, educators, families, and grassroots organizers in North Carolina and beyond. Renee reflects on the national landscape — including major shifts in Virginia, New Jersey, and Maine — and...
info_outline
98 Special Education From National News to Local Perspectives
Advocacy Bites
In this episode of Advocacy Bites, hosts Renee Sekel and Susan Book detail what Susan is seeing on the local level and how that relates to national issues in special education. We dive deep into the state of special education—from alarming local stories in Wake County to the broader national challenges facing students with disabilities. Susan shares her family’s personal journey through the trauma of restraint and seclusion practices in schools, shedding light on the policies, data gaps, and systemic failures that continue to harm vulnerable students. Together, Renee and Susan...
info_outline
97 The Problem of Nothing?
Advocacy Bites
Susan discusses Medicaid cut impacts on our families and schools while Renee does a deep dive on what is going on with the University system. In this episode of Advocacy Bites, hosts Renee Sekel and Susan Book dig into what happens when the North Carolina legislature simply… does nothing. From stalled Medicaid funding to the growing crisis in the UNC university system, this conversation exposes how legislative inaction and political meddling are creating real harm for students, families, educators, and care workers across the state. Susan unpacks how the General Assembly’s failure to...
info_outlineRenee and Susan discuss the 2025 elections from national and local perspectives. In this episode of Advocacy Bites, they break down a week filled with big wins, surprising momentum, and a whole lot of hope for everyday advocates. From sweeping Democratic victories across the country to record-breaking turnout in local Wake County races, Renee and Susan explore what these results mean for communities, educators, families, and grassroots organizers in North Carolina and beyond.
Renee reflects on the national landscape — including major shifts in Virginia, New Jersey, and Maine — and what these wins say about voters pushing back on divisive policies, book bans, and attacks on marginalized communities. Susan brings the focus home, celebrating the surge of municipal engagement, the impact of the No Kings movement, and the growing desire for connection, community, and unconventional organizing.
Together, they dig into:
-
Why this election cycle felt different — and more hopeful
-
How community-driven actions like rallies, walkouts, and local collaborations are reshaping advocacy
-
What Gen Z and grassroots volunteers are doing that traditional political structures often miss
-
Why disagreement, experimentation, and “just trying stuff” are powerful tools for change
-
How advocates can keep the momentum alive through 2026 — without burning out
This episode is a reminder that victories—big and small—matter. And that you don’t need permission, a polished strategy, or perfect alignment to make a difference. You just need hope, community, and the willingness to act.
👉 Today’s To-Do: Celebrate the wins. Remember this feeling. Harness this hope. And then go do good things.
Stay connected at: https://saveourschoolsnc.org/